How much does a Tier 1 Help Desk make?

 help desk technician salary

How much does a Help Desk Tier 1 Specialist make in the United States? The average Help Desk Tier 1 Specialist salary in the United States is $45,150 as of August 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $40,330 and $50,590. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

The Help Desk Tier 1 Specialist identifies, researches and resolves routine technical problems of low complexity. Provides support to end users for basic computer, application, system, device, access and hardware issues. Being a Help Desk Tier 1 Specialist documents, tracks, and monitors the problem using applicable systems and tools. Responds to telephone, email and on line requests for technical support. In addition, Help Desk Tier 1 Specialist may coordinate with other teams or departments to resolve user problems. May perform password re-sets for users. May require an associate's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Being a Help Desk Tier 1 Specialist possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. https://www.fieldengineer.com/blogs/what-does-a-help-desk-technician-do

The greatest opportunity for help desk technicians

  help desk job

"Some people use it as a launch pad, and other people make it a dead-end job," he says. The greatest opportunity for help desk technicians lies in their ability to learn about different facets of the business, "which makes them more valuable than a pure IT guy," says Rosen.

When Anthony McCloud graduated from Graceland University in 2000, he didn't have a smidgen of business experience. He didn't know the first thing about business processes, customer service, or the quirks and habits of business workers. https://www.fieldengineer.com/blogs/what-does-a-help-desk-technician-do

Now he knows all that and much more. McCloud has spent the past seven years working in help desk-related roles at four companies, including stints for a high-tech equipment maker and a small restaurant chain.

The experience he has gained from learning about different businesses and "intermixing" with various types and levels of business workers has been priceless in terms of strengthening his communication and relationship skills, McCloud says.

India’s highest paying tech jobs and the skills that rake in the big bucks

"From my experience, being on an IT help desk has been a huge, huge opportunity," says McCloud, who was hired by Mac Equipment Inc. in Kansas City in June 2007. In addition to his role as the company's lone help desk technician, McCloud has also helped out as a server analyst and has done application development work in SQL, Visual C Sharp and PHP.

On the money front, McCloud doubled his salary when he first left a two-person business to take a help desk job at Mac Equipment, and since then, he has watched his compensation steadily increase at each subsequent position.

As McCloud and others are discovering, many help desks have evolved beyond their ticket-taking roots -- offering expanded opportunities for help desk employees (see "What's in it for you?" for details).

But that doesn't stop some IT professionals from hewing to the "old school" party line that says a career stop on the help desk is a one-way ticket to Palookaville.

"If you're hired just to work on a help desk, that's all you will ever do," says Fred Wagner, a FileNet and Kofax systems specialist for the city of Long Beach, Calif.

In particular, help desk technicians who work in "stovepiped" IT organizations -- that is, companies where systems analysts, network managers and other IT professionals are segregated from one another -- can go 10 to 15 years without being promoted into IT infrastructure, business analyst, systems administrator or other types of roles, he says.

A new breed of IT pros begs to differ, maintaining that a job on an IT help desk can open doors to other IT career opportunities. Help desk technicians, these proponents say, gain valuable experience working with end users throughout the enterprise and learning what makes the business tick.

Main areas covered by CWSP

 cwsp salary

Secure new opportunities.

Do you know how to assess the vulnerability of a network and help prevent attacks before they happen? Do you know how to perform WLAN security audits and implement compliance monitoring solutions? Do you have experience setting up Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS)?

Today’s wireless network security professionals need to have a deep understanding of the latest software, tools, trends and technologies available. Security professionals are often counted on to advise on security policies (i.e. password and acceptable use). Plus, these experts are responsible for configuring an entire network’s Security Design and Architecture.

Measure your skills and knowledge with this professional-level certification and get on track toward ultimately earning your Certified Wireless Network Expert (CWNE) certification. Those that pass the CWSP exam earn credit towards a CWNE certification.

What it takes to become a CWSP:

The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification for the CWNP Program. To earn a CWSP certification, you must hold a current and valid CWNA credential. You must take the CWSP exam at a Pearson Vue Testing Center and pass with a 70% or higher. Instructors must pass with a 80% or higher. However you choose to prepare for the CWSP exam, you should start with the exam objectives, which cover the full list of skills tested on the exam.  The CWSP certification is valid for three (3) years. To recertify, you must have a current CWNA credential and pass the current CWSP exam.  By passing the CWSP exam, your CWNA certificate will be renewed for another three years.

Main areas covered by CWSP

• WLAN Discovery Techniques
• Intrusion and Attack Techniques
• 802.11 Protocol Analysis
• Wireless Intrusion Prevention Systems (WIPS) Implementation
• Layer 2 and 3 VPNs used over 802.11 networks
• Enterprise/SMB/SOHO/Public-Network Security design models
• Managed Endpoint Security Systems802.11 Authentication and Key
• 205 Exam Objectives
• CWSP-206 Exam Objectives 2019 (CWSP-206 Exam will replace CWSP-205 in September of 2019)

Management Protocols

Overview of the Requirements to Become an ER Tech

 help desk technician salary

Licensure Info. Though you'll need EMT or CNA certification to work as an ER tech, there is no separate ER tech certification required. Some employers may prefer that you have both EMT and CNA certification.

Emergency room (ER) technicians treat patients and help with assessment in emergency care settings. Work in this field requires the completion of a CNA or EMT program and certification. Learn about the career and education requirements, as well as job duties for this field.

Overview of the Requirements to Become an ER Tech

An ER tech is a professional combination of EMT and CNA who works in an urgent care setting or ER, under the guidance of a registered nurse or physician. You will not go with medical transport or rescue vehicles to emergency scenes.

Important Facts About ER Techs

Salary (2018)	$28,530 (Nursing Assistant), $34,320 (EMT)
Key Skills	Compassion, Problem-solving, Strength and Patience
Job Outlook (2016-2026)	11% (Nursing Assistant), 15% (EMT)
Work Environment	Full time work, considerable manual stress and possible exposure to contagious diseases

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Requirements

You must fulfill these requirements in order to be an ER tech:

• 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification
• Completion of a CNA or EMT educational program
• CNA or EMT certification
• Be able to function accurately, professionally and compassionately under pressure
• Have a sufficient level of physical and mental conditioning
• Be able to lift a moderate amount of weight

Duties

As an ER tech, you will assist with patient undressing and positioning, take vital signs and help with assessment. You will retrieve equipment, supplies, linens and necessary paperwork for doctors and nurses to perform their responsibilities. Duties may include performing phlebotomy procedures, 12-lead electrocardiograms, IV set-ups and urinary catheterizations. You will also provide wound care, splinting and casting for injuries. In addition, you will provide comfort and care for the patient's needs.

Additional duties include transporting patients to other departments for tests, as well as collecting and delivering lab specimens. Administratively, you will answer telephones, assist with entering orders into the database, direct visitors and ensure that supplies are accurately replenished.

how much do help desk technicians make

 

 how much do help desk technicians make

IT Technician Career Overview

In order to know whether or not you would like to become a computer technician you will need to know a little more about what the IT Technician career entails. There is a continuously growing demand for professionals in this field as technology evolves and finds an ever increasing number of roles in modern society.

Computer Repair Technician, Desktop Support, IT Technician and Support Technician are all job roles that fulfil the need for these skilled IT workers. The specific duties and responsibilities of these roles can vary based on the requirements of the specific organisation but to become a computer technician you should have the skills to fulfil tasks such as:

• Installing PC Hardware
• Installing PC Software
• Computer Repair
• Maintaining equipment
• Providing desktop support
• Troubleshooting a vast range of computer issues
• Configuring computer networks

 

10 Tips to Become a Computer Technician

1. Get your CompTIA A+ Certification

One of the best foundations to ensure a great start when you decide to become a computer technician is to gain the right qualifications. CompTIA A+ is one of the most sought-after entry-level certifications in this field and most IT jobs require this as a basis. The course can be studied via online training so this is a qualification that you can work towards in your own time and at your own pace. The CompTIA A+ certification is considered to be a standard requirement when you are looking to become a computer technician so having this on your CV will be highly beneficial.

2. Practice Computer Repair

When you become a computer technician a large part of your job will consist of computer repair. This is a vital part of desktop support and will require that you are able to repair PC hardware, software and accessories such as printer and scanners. As an aspiring IT Technician, you can gain a vast amount of practical experience by repairing broken computers belonging to friends and family. If you are able to, source unwanted broken computers and spend time figuring out what you are able to fix and learn from what you have discovered.

3. Build a Computer

Although it will not necessarily be a part of your job when you become a computer technician, building computers can teach you as much as computer repair can and this is a great learning tool for those who learn through practical application. When buying the different components, you will learn about the internal structure of a computer and this will provide a wealth of knowledge. To become a computer technician you will need to know computers in a very detailed manner and building one from scratch is a significant learning curve.

4. Volunteer in Desktop Support

One of the quickest and easiest ways in which to gain the practical experience that will assist your goal to become a computer technician is to do volunteer work. Work at a local small business, a school or wherever you can find someone who is in need of computer repair or other aspects of desktop support. If possible, request that each of these places write you a recommendation letter stating that you have partaken in volunteer IT Technician work and what you have done during your time with them. These could prove helpful when applying for a job to become a computer technician.

5. Create a Search Friendly CV

Now that you have a relevant certification or two and have added practical experience to your inventory, it is necessary to ensure that your CV will get noticed by those recruiters who are hiring. There is fierce competition for IT Technician roles and recruiters are often swamped by the masses of applications that they receive. This has led to the use of filtering features and it is vital that you consider these when constructing your CV. Ensure that you clearly note any IT certifications that you have earned (CompTIA A+ is often used in the filtering process), mention any practical experience that you have gained (even if this is simply helping your friends and family with computer repair) and do not clutter your CV with unnecessary information or details – interviews are for the recruiter to ask for further information relating to the areas of your CV that have caught their attention.

How do you answer a help desk call?

help desk support jobs

 

The palm of your hands become clammy and you begin to fidget with the pen in your hands. The temperature in the room seems to rise as your heart beats faster and a bead of sweat trickles down your face. You’re anxious, excited and nervous all at the same time, and you’re not quite sure how this conversation will go...

https://www.fieldengineer.com/blogs/what-does-a-help-desk-technician-do

You might think this is a scene from a romantic movie, yet it's actually an accurate description of what happens when you have to answer a customer phone call for the first (and second, and third…) time. Interacting in real time with your clients can be nerve-wracking, as the pressure of saying everything right, proudly representing your company, and having all the answers can make you jittery. Here, we’ve gathered a few tips that will show you exactly how to answers customer service calls like a pro.

DO’S

Answer with a professional tone

Answering the phone with an inviting manner will set the mood for the rest of the conversation. Start by creating a professional greeting that introduces yourself as well as your company. This introduction may sound something like this: “Hello, good ____. Thank you for contacting _____, my name is _____.” Continue by asking your customer how you can be of assistance. This will show them that you are happy and ready to initiate the call. Finally, throughout the conversation, continue to adopt this professional tone by speaking clearly and at a moderate pace. This way, customers can easily keep up with the information you are providing.

How do I become a help desk technician?

 technician desk

To become a help desk technician, you first must complete a high school diploma or equivalent. Though some jobs require a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, some help desk tech jobs only require an associate degree and on the job training.

Help Desk Technicians provide technical support for IT end-users.

Help desk technicians are vital to the IT workforce, as they keep the technologies that organizations rely on to do business up-to-date and running smoothly.

IT help desk technicians provide technical support and troubleshooting services to end-users who need assistance with their computer hardware or software. There are two chief types of help desk technician: In-house and Remote. Remote help desk technicians support technology customers via phone, online and occasionally on-site. In-house technicians only provide support for internal employees.

Help desk technicians need a deep understanding of computer hardware and software. Strong communication skills are also essential, as help desk specialists must effectively communicate solutions to both technical and non-technical individuals. The IT help desk career path is ideal for methodical problem-solvers with an aptitude for learning and quickly adapting new skills. Patience, resourcefulness and a desire to help others are desirable virtues in technical support and help desk roles.

Many IT pros begin their career as help desk technicians because of the low experience and education requirements, then as they're exposed to new IT disciplines and technologies they discover their niche and branch out into other IT careers, such as network administrator, DBA or IT security specialist. Other technicians will remain at the help desk and leverage their experience to become a help desk technician manager.

a.k.a. Desktop Support Technician | Technical Support Specialist | Computer Support Engineer | IT Support Specialist | Field Service Technician | Desktop Support Analyst